Bee

Official Number 3397

The Bee was a two-masted schooner built at Ulverston in February 1841 by Petty & Postlethwaite. Initially she was owned in Ulverston, her shareholders including her builders and members of the Roper family. In 1861 her managing owner was James Ormandy Rigg . There are numerous entries for this vessel in Ulverston Harbour records, which show her cargoes and destination. The registry of the Bee was transferred from Lancaster to Bridgewater 1898.

From crew lists (see Source 2) her voyages and crew in 1852 were listed as follows :

Voyages in 1852 (ports mentioned):

 First half-year:  Newport, Glasgow, Ulverston, Liverpool
 Second half-year: Ulverston, Glasgow

Isaac Myers, age 39, born Ulverston, ticket no. 43748, Master
James [B?]ast, age 23, born Ulverston, ticket no. 63733, Mate
William Dixon, age 26, born Ulverston, ticket no. 40779, Seaman
(the three named above joined this vessel 1st January 1852 all having previously served on the Agnes of Ulverston)

William Dixon, age 26, born Ulverston, ticket no. 40779 joined as Mate on 1st July 1852 (date of the previous Mate leaving is not recorded)
William Gardner, age18, born Ulverston, ticket no. 535934, Seaman, joined 1st July 1852

Sources :

1. Information from Peter Sandbach, from Lancaster Shipping Register (microfilm at Cumbria Record Office, Barrow) and Ulverston Harbour records (at Ulverston Heritage Centre).
2. Crew Lists & Agreements for Lancaster, 1852,  Public Record Office, Kew, ref. BT98/2981 - research by Philip Holmes
3. Isaac Myers was still Master in 1855 - Crew Lists and Agreements (BT98/4185) at the Public Record Office, Kew - research by Philip Holmes.